2006-12-31 02:58:53 · 5 answers · asked by kayboff 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
NO. You are assuming that the prefix "dis" always functions as a negative. But that is not so. It can also be used as an intensifier, as is the case with "disgruntled".
"Gruntled" already meant "angry" or "complaining" -- related to the word "grunt". "Disgruntled" meant "VERY gruntled." So, if you want to refer to an employee who is unhappy, but not quite so much as the other 'disgruntled' ones you might resurrect the old word and call him "gruntled"! If you really want to use the same root to refer to the uncomplaining or happy ones, you'd have to coin a word like "ungruntled" or "undisgruntled" (or "nongruntled", etc.)
(Actually, the "-le" ending on a verb like this makes it "frequentative", that is, it refers to a repeated action. So 'gruntle', like 'grumble' suggests incessant complaining!)
http://www.word-detective.com/081203.html
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/disgruntle
See also the following for a further discussion of "dis" in "dismantle"
http://word-detective.com/0706A.html
2006-12-31 06:42:02 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Define Gruntled
2016-11-04 22:02:27 · answer #2 · answered by munley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Define Disgruntle
2016-12-14 04:27:18 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES! and NO!
or
NO! and YES!
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disgruntle
One entry found for disgruntle.
Main Entry: dis·grun·tle
Pronunciation: dis-'gr&n-t&l
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): dis·grun·tled; dis·grun·tling /-'gr&nt-li[ng], -'gr&n-t&l-i[ng]/
Etymology: dis- + gruntle to grumble, from Middle English gruntlen, frequentative of grunten to grunt
: to make ill-humored or discontented -- usually used as a participial adjective
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gruntle
One entry found for gruntle.
Main Entry: grun·tle
Pronunciation: 'gr&n-t&l
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): grun·tled; grun·tling /'gr&nt-li[ng], 'gr&n-t&l-i[ng]/
Etymology: back-formation from disgruntle
: to put in a good humor
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Gruntled Employees
Managers, executives, in-house counsel, and HR people know all about disgruntled employees. They cost employers billions of dollars each year in lawsuits, attorneys' fees, lost productivity, and wasted time. Here we discuss how to keep employees gruntled. Employer advocate and counsel Jay Shepherd leads the discussion.
2006-12-31 03:13:34 · answer #4 · answered by LucySD 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I guess so. I've thought of that myself. I think it can actually be used as a word.
How come you can be ruthless but not ruth?
You can also be disappointed but not appointed and how come two mouses are called mice but two houses are not hice?
I could go on for ever with this one.
2006-12-31 03:10:56 · answer #5 · answered by Heather 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋